Guider is unsung hero (From Gazette Series)

A Guider from Chipping Sodbury is town's unsung hero

11:25am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in News By Alexandra Womack

A GUIDE leader who has a kind word for everyone has been recognised as Chipping Sodbury’s Unsung Hero of 2012.

Sandi Hardwick, leader of 1st Westerleigh Guides and 1st Chipping Sodbury Rainbows, was nominated for the Chipping Sodbury Rotary Club honour by parents of girls who have benefited from her leadership.

Sandi, a mother-of-four who is also South Cotswold Division Commissioner and a mentor for the district, has been involved in the Guiding movement for 30 years.

"I was a Brownie and a Guide myself," she told the Gazette. "I went on to become a leader and have been involved ever since.

"You don’t do these things for any award but it is very nice to be recognised and it came as a very pleasant surprise."

Sandi, who lives in Chipping Sodbury, was selected by the Rotary club for being a ‘force for good’ in the community.

She serves up lunches at Old Sodbury School and sits on the PTA and is a bellringer in the Sodbury Vale benefice.

Rotary club president Anthony Bourne said: "Sandi has been heavily involved with the Guiding movement for over 30 years and we are delighted to be in a position to recognise and reward her for her dedication and tireless efforts in the local community.

"Sandi manages to juggle her family life and her Guiding commitments and make it look easy. She considers every girl who passes through her Rainbows or Guide groups as an individual and always has a smile and kind word for everyone she encounters."

He added: "The people she supports and works with in the community nominated Sandi for the award. They commented on many aspects of her very busy life and achievements, saying that she is a force for good in the community and that her work is the reason why hundreds of girls in the Chipping Sodbury and Yate area grow up with a strong sense of purpose and self-worth."

Sandi was presented with a certificate and £250 which she has donated to a Guiding project to help food collections for needy families in the St Paul’s area of Bristol.